Multiverse Gourmet Hunter

Just as Haruto and Alolan Ninetales were finishing their ice cream, hurried footsteps sounded from inside the laboratory.

Haruto looked up to see Professor Oak rushing into the garden, his face flushed with excitement.

After quickly eating his last spoonful of Moomoo Milk ice cream, Haruto turned toward the approaching professor.

"Professor Oak, judging by how excited you look, I assume your research produced a major discovery?"

Professor Oak stopped beside him, barely able to contain his exhilaration.

"Haruto, the ingredients you provided are even more remarkable than I imagined!"

"Their nutritional value is extraordinarily high. If we incorporate them into Pokéblocks, they could greatly improve a Pokémon’s physical condition and rate of growth!"

"But the most astonishing discovery came from the BB Popcorn!"

His voice rose as he spoke, and his eyes gleamed as though he had uncovered a priceless treasure.

"After repeatedly analyzing it with precision instruments, I confirmed that BB Popcorn contains a unique active substance unlike anything we’ve ever encountered."

"Not only does it directly accelerate a Pokémon’s development, but it also improves the body’s ability to absorb nutrients, allowing them to be utilized far more efficiently!"

Professor Oak paused, growing even more animated.

"Do you understand what this means?"

"Starter Pokémon are traditionally given to new Trainers because they possess exceptional potential and grow quickly enough to develop alongside their partners."

"But if we can extract the active substance in BB Popcorn and use it to produce specialized Pokéblocks, new Trainers would have a much wider selection. They could raise Pokémon that would normally develop too slowly!"

"And this would be even more significant for pseudo-Legendary Pokémon!"

Professor Oak waved his hands excitedly.

"Pseudo-Legendary Pokémon possess tremendous power, but their extremely long growth cycles are one of the greatest challenges in Pokémon breeding."

"With BB Corn, however, we may be able to shorten that development period considerably and help them reach maturity far sooner!"

"Of course, we still need extensive testing before we can determine how to extract and refine the active substance. Even so, this is already a revolutionary discovery!"

Haruto listened quietly, unsurprised by the results.

Ingredients produced in the Wuu Forest naturally contained unusual forms of energy.

A sauce made from Wuu Star Fruit could instantly mature a Barbecue Rib that would ordinarily require seven days of aging.

It was perfectly reasonable for BB Corn to possess growth-enhancing properties.

Still, this was excellent news for Haruto.

He had a considerable supply of BB Corn in storage. Even if he sold all of it, he could simply return to the Toriko world and gather more.

And with such a valuable effect, he certainly could not price it cheaply.

Trading one kernel of BB Corn for a starter Pokémon did not sound unreasonable to him.

While Haruto was considering how much he should demand, Professor Oak finally calmed himself and asked seriously,

"BB Corn could have an enormous impact on Pokémon development."

"I intend to report these findings to the Pokémon League and have its representatives negotiate a formal trade with you. Would that be acceptable?"

Haruto had always intended to use trade as a way to acquire more of the Pokémon he wanted.

Aside from Legendary and Mythical Pokémon, no organization possessed broader access to different species than the Pokémon League.

Trading directly with them would undoubtedly benefit Haruto, provided the negotiations proceeded smoothly.

He was not particularly worried about being cheated.

A Legendary Pokémon was still watching over him, after all.

Haruto nodded without hesitation.

"Of course."

Professor Oak relaxed when Haruto agreed so readily.

A moment later, however, his expression became awkward. He rubbed his hands together, clearly wanting to ask something but feeling embarrassed to do so.

Haruto smiled helplessly.

"Professor, just tell me what else you need."

Professor Oak finally voiced his thoughts.

"Haruto, BB Corn possesses such an astonishing effect. That made me wonder whether the Jewel Meat and Puffer Whale you mentioned might also have unique properties."

"I’d like to trade for a small amount of each so I can conduct further research. Would you be willing?"

Haruto considered the request briefly before nodding.

Jewel Meat and Puffer Whale could no longer improve his Gourmet Cells, but their flavors were still exceptional. He had no intention of trading them as freely as BB Corn.

"Trading is possible," Haruto said frankly, "but I need to make something clear beforehand. My supplies of Jewel Meat and Puffer Whale are extremely limited."

"Their value will be considerably higher than BB Corn."

His main reason for agreeing was that he wanted to see whether Professor Oak could discover any unusual effects those ingredients had on Pokémon.

If they proved beneficial, the results could help him raise Charmander and the other Pokémon he acquired in the future.

Professor Oak brightened immediately.

"That’s no problem! As long as you’re willing to trade, we can discuss any conditions. What would you like in exchange?"

That was precisely what Haruto had been waiting to hear.

He stated his requirements without holding back.

"I want a Happiny, though a Chansey would also be acceptable."

"I also need an Applin and Milcery from the Galar region, along with a Smoliv from Paldea."

"Their evolved forms would be preferable. Otherwise, I’ll need every item required for their evolutions."

"I want several Milcery, and I’ll also need every variety of Sweet used for Alcremie’s different forms."

Once he had finished listing his demands, Haruto made his offer.

"In exchange, I can provide one kilogram of Jewel Meat and one Puffer Whale."

Professor Oak’s smile stiffened, and a troubled expression appeared on his face.

Happiny was rare even in Kanto. The vast majority were raised by the Joy family and eventually evolved into Chansey to work at Pokémon Centers, so very few ever became available to outsiders.

Applin and Milcery were native to the distant Galar region, while Smoliv came from Paldea, even farther away.

Professor Oak’s laboratory only housed a few Alcremie. Collecting everything Haruto requested would require the resources of the Pokémon League, extensive coordination between regions, and a great deal of time and effort.

Professor Oak thought for a long while.

Considering the potential importance of Haruto’s ingredients to the future of Pokémon breeding, he finally gritted his teeth and nodded.

"Very well! I’ll gather those Pokémon and evolutionary items for you."

"However, arranging transfers between regions will take time. It will require at least a week."

Haruto was delighted.

Without Professor Oak’s help, he would have needed to travel personally to Galar and Paldea. The distance alone would have cost him an unimaginable amount of time.

This agreement spared him endless trouble.

"That’s perfectly fine," Haruto said with a smile. "I can wait."

Professor Oak looked relieved.

A week was a considerable delay, and he had genuinely worried that Haruto might refuse.

His gaze drifted toward Alolan Ninetales, which had curled its nine luxuriant tails around itself and was happily licking the remaining Moomoo Milk ice cream.

Professor Oak swallowed.

Haruto pretended not to notice.

There was no ice cream left to offer him. He could hardly take Alolan Ninetales’s portion away and give it to the professor.

Professor Oak reluctantly tore his gaze from the dessert and looked back at Haruto.

"Rest assured. I’ll contact League headquarters immediately and have the Pokémon you requested delivered here as safely and quickly as possible."

Haruto nodded.

He trusted Professor Oak well enough to leave the arrangements in his hands.

After a moment’s thought, Haruto brought out the two rare ingredients he had promised as payment.

The first was a glossy piece of Jewel Meat that gleamed with a gemlike radiance.

The second was a plump Puffer Whale.

A mysterious fragrance immediately spread through the air. Even Alolan Ninetales raised its head from the ice cream and glanced at the two ingredients with its sapphire eyes.

Haruto pointed toward the Puffer Whale.

"Professor Oak, its poison is extremely potent. If the poison sac is damaged, the entire body will become contaminated and lose all culinary value."

"Would you like me to remove it now?"

Professor Oak knew little about Puffer Whales, but he trusted Haruto’s expertise.

"Please do."

With permission granted, Haruto immediately began.

He drew his Melk Knife and skillfully opened the Puffer Whale, locating the poison sac hidden deep inside its body.

Before long, he removed it intact.

Professor Oak had no intention of discarding the sac. It was valuable research material in its own right.

He retrieved a specially designed sealed container and carefully stored it inside.

Once everything was prepared, Professor Oak gathered the Jewel Meat, the cleaned Puffer Whale, and the container holding its poison sac.

His eyes burned with impatient excitement.

After hurriedly saying goodbye to Haruto, he turned and rushed straight back toward the laboratory.

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